After having examined in Part I the issue of the punishment of apostasy in Islam in the light of the Qur`an (see http://www.islamicperspectives.com/Apostasy1.htm) we now turn to the examination of the issue in the light of ahadith. We will insha allah show that the authentic words of the Holy Prophet do not prescribe any punishment for apostasy. Ahadith in which the Prophet is reported to have prescribed the death penalty for this sin are either unreliable or are to be interpreted differently.